Saturday, February 20, 2010

Although you may like the idea of your own kids swimming the day away, you may also have concerns. That crystal blue water may not be as clean as it seems. Water quality can be affected by biological toxins (such as bacteria) or chemical toxicants (such as chlorine). In one corner, you have recreational water illnesses. These include Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and E. coli. Many of these germs are spread by feces, and one person can contaminate an entire pool. Every summer, these infections make thousands of people sick.

In the other corner, you have chlorine. Although it can kill most of those water-borne germs, it’s also a chemical toxicant that poses risks of its own. Chlorine can bind with sweat or urine in pools to form chloramines, which can cause stinging eyes, nasal irritation, and breathing problems. Some studies have found that heavy exposure to chlorinated pools can increase the risk of asthma in children. Although the greatest danger is from poorly ventilated indoor pools, even outdoor pools can cause problems.

So what can you do? How can you balance the risk of waterborne illness with the risks of chemicals like chlorine? Here are some tips.

If you’re using a local pool, you should

* Ask the management how the pool is sanitized and ventilated. * Talk to a pediatrician about the safety of chlorine exposure for your child.

* Only swim in a pool if the water looks clear and not cloudy -- you should be able to see right to the bottom. Although a clear pool could still harbor germs, cloudy water is an indication of a pool that's not being properly maintained. * Touch the sides of the pool before going in -- they should not be slimy or sticky. * Listen to make sure that the filtering equipment is on. * Be wary of a very strong chlorine smell -- it’s a sign of chloramines and poor ventilation. * Tell your kids not to swallow the water in swimming pools -- it’s really best if they don’t get it in their mouths at all. * Protect others by telling your kids to shower before getting in a pool, and by never letting them go in a pool when they’re sick – especially with a stomach bug. * Avoid swimming in a highly chlorinated pool every day.